How To Reduce The Risk of Recurring Pancreatic Cancer
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By: Tony Subia
July 2022
Recurrence of Cancer Will Be A Patient's Major Emotional Concern
The risks of getting pancreatic cancer after birth is fairly well known. Is it possible that avoiding those same risks will lower the risk of the recurrence of pancreatic cancer? There may be no proof of such, but it would be a logical starting point of helping avoid recurrence. Adapting a healthy lifestyle will always be a sound reason.
The major controllable factors in adapting a healthy lifestyle would be the following risk factors:
> Quit smoking or don’t eve start
> Avoid obesity. Keep a “body mass index” rating below 23.
> Avoid onset type 2 diabetes, particularly after the age 50
> Do not abuse alcohol. Better yet do not use alcohol at all.
> Regularly exercise and stay physically fit.
> Eat healthy. Avoid too much fat. Consult a registered dietician.
> Consider using a physical therapist.
> Maintain a positive attitude. Reduce anxiety and stress.
Always consult with doctor before beginning a physical regime.
Once approved by your doctor resume living life to the fullest possible extent.
Pancreatic Cancer is No Longer An Automatic Death Sentence
However, unless pancreatic cancer is diagnosed while the cancer is still confined to pancreas, the chance of recurring will never completely go away. If the cancer has already spread to distant organs at diagnosis, recurrence will be very difficult to avoid. When detected at that stage, the average 5-year+ survival rate drops to a dismal 3% (2022 statistic).
When pancreatic cancer is detected and treatment leads to remission, surveillance programs and screening must be implemented to catch the slightest indication of recurrence as early as possible.
Surgery is generally only performed when there is no evidence the cancer has spread beyond the pancreas. Although surgery to remove the tumor(s) is considered somewhat the only “curative process”, the average 5-year+ survival rate is still only 44%.
“That is exactly why it is so crucial to know the risk factors, the symptoms, and family history of any cancer. The symptoms of pancreatic cancer are very vague and often do not become noticeable until the cancer has already spread. Extreme vigilance is imperative for early detection when it is most treatable.”
Always keep a positive outlook. There many long term survivors including those diagnosed at late stages.